I walk toward the elevator, and she sighs, following several feet behind me. I press the button, wanting it to be here already.
The tension in the room is thick.
Cali is breathing heavily from the kiss, or maybe my abrupt nature has her flustered. But I can’t go down that road with her. Not now and likely not ever.
I’m a man too far damaged for repair. She doesn’t deserve me and all the baggage that comes with me.
The elevator doors ding open, and Cali steps inside.
“Goodnight,” I say roughly, and her eyes tighten. She doesn’t say anything. Not even a thank you for dinner.
She’s biting her bottom lip, and I swear if she cries, I won’t be able to contain myself. Cali doesn’t get to cry. She wasn’t the one who was ripped apart and torn to shreds by the one person who vowed to be with me through all of it.
Logically, I recognize it’s not Cali’s fault. But I can’t separate the two tonight.
The doors shut, and I breathe a sigh of relief that she’s gone.
SIX
Cali
What the hell just happened?My head spins, and my eyes burn.
I lean back against the elevator, not pressing any buttons.
I can’t remember what floor my room is on. Everything inside of me aches.
I hit the button for the lobby, and the elevator car takes me down to the first floor. I stalk out, heading straight for the bar.
While I could go to bed, a drink sounds better. I walk into the bar. There are a few patrons, but it’s not overly crowded. Most of the lodge is family oriented. The bar is the exception.
I grab a seat at the counter and order a Long Island iced tea. It’s sweet enough, but it will pack a punch. Plus, I’ve already had my fair share of expensive wine upstairs.
That’s probably the reason I stupidly leaned in and kissed Logan Henderson. I didn’t realize he’d freak out when I locked lips with him.
Was kissing me that awful?
“Cali, right?” Wyatt asks. He strolls up from the opposite side of the bar where he’d been playing darts.
“Yes,” I say. I don’t give him much else.
He glances me over as the bartender brings my drink over to me. “Thanks,” I say, and Wyatt gestures toward the alcoholic beverage.
“Put it on my tab. And I’ll have another round.”
“I can buy my drinks,” I snap at him.
“I’m sure you can, but I was being a gentleman.” Wyatt smiles and leans back against the bar. His thumbs hook on the belt loops in his jeans.
He’s handsome, and the longer I stare at him, I can see the resemblance between the two brothers.
“Teach your brother to be a gentleman,” I mutter, gulping down my drink.
Wyatt shifts sideways to face me and eventually takes the empty seat next to me. Perhaps he realizes it’s going to be a long night. “He usually is the gentleman. What’d he do?”
“He kicked me out, sent me into the elevator because I kissed him. Heaven forbid my lips to touch his.”
Wyatt cracks a grin. “You kissed my brother? Good for you.”